THRIVING IN PLACE LESSONS LEARNED

“Life gets more exciting with each passing day” she said sarcastically.  So many lines like that one come to my mind from song lyrics, though the song subject from which they come has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with what I’m writing about here.

So many lessons I’m learning in this adventure of “living and thriving in place.”  Most recently I was simply minding my own business preparing to perch myself on the throne in my bathroom when all the lights went out.  They didn’t seem to be coming back on any time soon so having completed my business I arose in the deep dark blackness of night to carefully exit the room, slowly walking down the hallway to my bedroom, then feeling my way over to my bed where I keep a light within easy reach for just such emergencies. 

Having managed to not trip or fall, I then comfortably lit my way back to the living room.  I learned from this excursion I need to strategically place some little flashlights around the house to augment what I thought were sufficient placements.  Existing flashlights for my bedroom,  one handily placed in my living room and kitchen (where I once experienced a similar sudden light loss) are insufficient.  

Definitely, I want a flashlight of some sort in each of my other rooms, including my bathrooms.  So, I’m acquiring several of those inexpensive little LED lights to use for just that purpose.  In addition to always keeping my cell phone in my pocket wherever I go around the house, should I now carry one of those little flashlights, too?  Lights can unpredictably go out at any time.   During the worst of our fire season there can be more such incidents.  Though this is an infrequent event, when the lights go out it can be dangerous, especially if walking has become a bit less secure than it once was. 

Life has continued to be a bit complex with issues surrounding this Covid-19 virus only complicating matters.   A specialist I was to see for a second visit suddenly retired.  Efforts to obtain information or even reach a person with whom to talk, since my repeated messages left, go unanswered, have elicited no response for a couple weeks.  This matter is yet to be resolved.

Recognizing I can benefit from some assistance at home, even if just temporary, I finally concluded after considering the virus spreading situation, to allow a person known to me to begin regular visits.   After my helper’s first visit she phoned to advise recent L.A. County Health Department news reports of increasing virus infections leading to recommendations residents ratchet back their outside activities and to stay at home had given her concern.  She had decided to stay home, so I was back at square one in obtaining the assistance I sought.   

There has been an increase in the number of infected people in our city, two people have died.   Our closest local area hospital is reported to be at 80% capacity with beds for Covid-19 patients but say they are well positioned to accommodate more, if need be, and to safely accept the general public with ordinary needs. 

The only other person to spend time in my house since February was an AC/Furnace person to provide general service preparatory for our summer heat.  I had my unit go down once during a heat wave and had to wait several days before service could be provided.  Weather extremes don’t agree with me as well as they once did when I was younger, so I judged this visit a welcomed risk since he was masked and the area indoors he needed to see was limited.   

There are more incidental issues with which I am dealing, all of which are time consuming, none the least of which is needing to complete my income tax forms, which infringe on time I might otherwise focus on blog visits, so please know I’ve not forgotten readers here.

Are those of you living and thriving in place learning any adaptation lessons, or have you encountered any unique complications aggravating your life because of this virus?

FOR THE BIRDS -- LIVING IN PLACE -- THRIVING

FOR THE BIRDS -- UPDATE

Simba, the surviving one of two Big Bear Bald Eaglets, has reached an age when he could make his maiden flight any day now.   After his first flight he is expected to return to the nest, as he will do following each of his practice flights for a week or two before finally departing to seek his fortunes and fish in the big wide world.  

When I tuned in late Saturday afternoon 6/29 Simba was quietly resting in the nest as a parent was perched nearby surveying the surrounding wooded area and scenic lake.  Suddenly Simba arose, repeatedly spread his massive wings, flapping them as he would need to do in flight,  hopping about, balancing, evolving into an airborne short flight-like bounce onto a heavy branch on the nest’s perimeter, then back to the nest’s center to scrounge about in the twigs seeking snacks and to prune his feathers.

Just before dusk Shadow, (Simba’s father) flew in presenting a fish that was enthusiastically received.  Simba was able to feed somewhat independently but continued to accept being fed occasionally as the two ate together.  Later Shadow departed, Jackie (mother) flew in, rearranging the nest’s small branches.   Simba soon appeared desirous of settling down for the night as darkness closed in.   He moved head first to go under Jackie’s wing as had been the positioning for sleep when he was younger though he has been sleeping alone for some time.  Jackie paused only briefly, then quickly moved away, grasped a small branch in her beak, moving it aside.  Then she hopped to the large branch outpost where the parental birds generally have taken turns standing watch and from which they launch their takeoffs and landings.   

Simba could only accept that he was on his own now as appears he continues being prepared for the separation process, so snuggled down in the nest all by himself.   He’s only a little over ten weeks old but already more mature in a bird’s life, I guess. 

Live Feed 24/7 Video Cam:  https://youtu.be/5b2dUgK6VV4

LIVING IN PLACE PERSPECTIVE  

Some of us have been dedicated to the concept of living in place – remaining in our own residences alone or with another as we age.    A commitment with the ability to carry out this type of arrangement can be easier said than done given aging’s challenges.   We all may encounter some of these issues sooner or later. 

Some of the unpredictable considerations revolve around finances when unexpected expenses occur necessitating house and property upkeep.   Health needs due to physical changes may cause us to reconsider our options including recognizing and accepting we have a need for help.    Hiring dependable, trustworthy, caring, competent assistance from occasional to regularly scheduled periodic aid, or even a full-time live-in caregiver can be no easy task,  often is a trial and error process.   

The support available in my community and nationally in this digital age has significantly improved compared to that of only a few decades ago.   The large number of Baby Boomers has likely prompted increased responsiveness to meeting the needs of older people.   Predictions include an expectation of high demand for independent living accommodations,  more medical personnel and those who can provide home assistance -- possibly with a shortage of such individuals. 

Health need changes with aging can be expected, though to what degree can be unpredictable.  How likely will a person(s) be able to remain in their single dwelling residence given all the variables?  

What kind of living choices may be prevalent in the future though may have limited availability for my present generation?

I recently read this HomeHealthCareNews interview with Gerontologist Dr. Bill Thomas who has directed his energies with innovative ideas about our older lives you may find of interest.  (Dr. Thomas authored a seminal still pertinent book some years ago "What Are Old People For".)

"The houses we’re creating [at Minka] are really meant to be plugged into sophisticated approaches to home care, so that we’re able to actually optimize the housing and care in a way that can help people stay out of the hospital, out of the nursing home, out of assisted living and live the life they want to live."

THRIVING IN PLACE

I wrote here months ago about starting a support/conversational/educational group at our local senior center to address needs, experiences, sources locally and otherwise to facilitate successful living in place with a group we call Thriving In Place.  We haven’t wanted to just live to age in place,  but to thrive in the process.  Initial explorations of some of the aging choices, in addition to living in place which some wanted to learn about have been explored.

As we’ve ratcheted down to focus on topics related to remaining in our residences the number of our active participants has dwindled.    Individuals simply did not, or were no longer able, to attend  (as a couple participants noted had occurred due to health issues) to engage in the specifics to learn and aid one another with information, seek answers to our questions.   We are taking a hiatus for the rest of the summer and disappointingly to me, may not resume this fall.   Living in place blogger’s comments and reports, as many write about here and on their blogs, will continue to be of interest to me. 

One of the bloggers I follow, Jean,  who lives in Michigan and blogs at “TheMisadventures of Widowhood” has been living in place for a number of years, but in June made a decision to adjust her plan – sell her home and has made a commitment to move.   She is sharing her rationale for doing so, the experiences she is having – all of which is food for thought wherever we live.   Those interested in learning from her experiences may want to begin by reading her first post on the topic at the beginning of June, then subsequent ones – click on this link: “Visualizing My Next ChapterAgain”.

I wonder if others are encountering situations where they are re-examining their living environment  choice, may be considering making a change, or think it might have been better if they had chosen a different setting than their current one?

POTPOURRI -- SPACE TO EARTH

A potpourri of topics from space to earth have my attention .....

Get your tickets!

Who will be the first passenger on Luknar BFR Mission? 

Find out by clicking HERE ..... revealed  Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at 6 P.M.

* * *
(Unfortunately, I just discovered the Diana Krall video I had up here until 9/18, which is still on YouTube, has been withdrawn for play here. )  

Here's Julie London singing "Fly Me To The Moon"

* * *

On earth in the U.S. -– we’re all painfully aware of the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence – destruction, flooding and tragically, deaths.   Tropical Storm level continues to wreck havoc.

Our governments post-storm response must offer more meaningful support and compassion than that given to Puerto Rico last year.  

If the rest of us are ever similarly in need, what will be the concrete efforts our erstwhile leader will see are put forth at the federal level to assist us – or will we just hear a lot of rhetoric and falsehoods, much as he persists in extolling even today on matters, despite facts to the contrary?

Why don’t the current dominating Congressional legislators in the majority -- if they truly care about their constituents -- resist their governing leader – who fails to act and behave like a responsible leader?  Do they share his values, unethical behaviors and lack of morality?

* * *

In California -- Gov. Brown is promoting our state “...as a global leader in combating climate change.”  He recently signed “...16 new environmental laws aimed at easing global warming.”

“The bills he signed into law aim to increase the number of zero-emission vehicles and charging stations and reduce the number of heavily polluting cars and trucks.

The effort is key to California’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions because pollution from vehicles has risen even as emissions from other sources drop.”

We’ve experienced improvement in our inland air quality compared to when we moved here over forty years ago thanks to environmental protection efforts made. 

We really need to do more to reduce the extraction of fossil fuels including resistance to offshore drilling. 

Support to protect the environment is lacking from this current federal administration and, in fact, their philosophy undermines our efforts regardless of States’ rights.     

* * *

Caring about the security of the American people in terms of our health has been a pretty low priority by our leader, if not virtually non-existent at the federal level currently.  That seems to be the case where women are concerned -- years ago our administration with legislators gave us Clarence Thomas as a Judge on the Supreme Court.  Now they’re rushing to get nominee Brett Kavanaugh appointed whose attitude toward women's rights is highly questionable.

* * *

Locally -- an update on our first “Thriving in Place” group meeting -- 18 present, began by getting acquainted, establishing some pretty standard “rules of the road” -- including that everyone has an opportunity to civilly speak.  Humor will be an important element.  As my previous post explains, our group will be exploring: Thriving in the process of living as we age.

Exploring the different living choices for our older years will be the focus of our next month’s meeting – traditional settings and some of the more unusual, rare and unique ones.  Ultimately, reality will prevail with choice determined by financial considerations, issues associated with family and friends relationships, and where we can feel contented and reasonably happy.

* * *.

Would you like to take a trip around the moon, or take any flights into space?

AGING LIVING BEST IF "THRIVING IN PLACE"

Earlier I wrote HERE about my interest in the concept of living in place in which I’m engaged.

I’ve had a related idea I decided to pursue that attracted the interest of others to whom I presented my thoughts earlier this year.    Subsequently, I mentioned here I would be sharing further information on the matter in the future. 

Meanwhile, some of the questions and thoughts I considered follow, that I think many of us have had or will have sooner or later.   

Where do we want to live these later years of life? 

     

When should we begin thinking about how and where we’ll live in these later years?   Probably we’ve gradually been accumulating thoughts on the subject for a long time as have I.

Our work, financial status and family or friends are usually the major factors influencing how we formulate our plans.  These are matters we each must assess individually.

What sort of living arrangement do we prefer?   Many factors will determine if we’ll live with others or on our own.

Our choices can include preferring housing with age limit requirements as for Seniors – usually age 50 or 55 and up.   Some classic groupings involve housing in Assisted Living or Retirement Communities, the latter offering multiple levels of care.

Select living settings are sometimes needed by those with any one of a variety of special medical needs, such as those experiencing behavioral problems, some cognitive issues affecting memory in dementia types, especially including Alzheimer’s Disease.

Those are some of the considerations in our decision-making process about our later life living environment. 

Another thought crossing my mind is that unlike the early years of our lives some choices we could make might leave us with less opportunity to alter them later, if for some reason we might desire to do so.  So, wise consideration of these issues can matter.

Choosing an option characterized with that broad label of Aging in Place usually means living in the community rather than in residential care as described in "The Gerontologist" article HERE.  The research discusses this choice

     “...is linked to sense of attachment and social connection”

     “...is linked to sense of security and familiarity: home as a refuge, community as a resource”

     “...is tied to sense of identity, linked to independence and autonomy

The person(s) aging in place may be living in a room, apartment, mobile home, house, with or without friends, family and this may also even include their receiving any care-giving help needed but they must seek these services.

I have preferred to think of this Aging in Place arrangement as Living in Place with the emphasis on a goal of living, even though we are also aging.  

That brings me to elaborating on my idea, as I occasionally mentioned it in earlier posts and elsewhere, to an activity I proposed to our local city-coordinated Senior Services.  My idea was enthusiastically received, has been developed, expanded upon and implemented beginning this week. 

In the collaborative process of creating this offering, what I consider to be a most descriptive name suggested in our group was provided which most precisely describes what participants want.

Not only will be aging in place, with a focus on living, but what we really want is to thrive in the process. 

So, our group will be known as and directed toward “Thriving in Place”.  

This is the most recent brief summary as it appears in our city’s monthly digital newsletter, "The Clicks", announcing this new program with monthly meeting dates and times. 

“Aging can often pose new emotional and technical challenges, especially for those who wish to live independently at home for as long as possible. Join this group of peers as they discuss issues and trends, exchange information and tips, and receive informational presentations about living in place.”

The extent of my involvement I’ve limited to acting as a facilitator as I’ve envisioned this group to be very dynamic – adapting and fluctuating with the needs of participants which may change in the future.   The value of the gatherings will be dependent upon the attendees’ involvement and participation which I’ll certainly be encouraging to be strong. 

We’ve established through a variety of means, including survey questions, the demographics of initially interested attendees.  They will present a variety of differing perspectives including those of some who live alone – also subgroups of those both with and without friends and/or family in the area – with and without support systems.  There will be couples physically independent, others less so; some who are caregivers for a spouse/companion and any other possible situation as might be imagined.  Some are already committed to the idea of “Thriving in Place” and doing so. 

Others want to explore the idea to determine if this or another option would be best for them and discuss what are those other options.  Sharing experiences, positive and negative may benefit one another. 

We will have multiple sources for presentations for which the group has expressed interest.   I have specified wanting others to be responsible for arranging those sessions as I choose to limit my group obligations.  I also want the group to be able to thrive without the dependence of my presence.   

Offerings examples of some of our resources, in addition to other type living accommodations, there are a number of senior communities, at least three within a half-mile of our meeting center, offering all levels of care which I have served at one time or another when I was working.  Other desirable settings are available though at slightly greater distance.  Most offer get-acquainted sessions of their own interested individuals are encouraged to attend, often focused on downsizing.  

A prominent member of our group is associated with our local non-profit group REAL Connection 

that established in our city a decade or so ago.   Joining this group which does have a subscription charge can be very beneficial and will be one more resource of value.   This organization came into prominence on the east coast years ago based on the Village concept you can read about HERE.   There may be a similar group in your area.

I’m very enthusiastic about this free “Thriving in Place” group meeting the needs of some in our community including mine, who want to interact with others choosing this living arrangement.  This group does offer a socialization opportunity, too, through this shared living style community.

I know some bloggers I visit here are “Thriving in Place”.  Others are living in or have tried some of the options as in Assisted Living with various reactions.  Perhaps, some are currently living in retirement communities offering all levels of care.  Others, only now, may be considering where they’ll live in their later years.

What choices have you made about where and how you want to live in your aging years, or what options are you considering?   

Any thoughts you may have about our “Thriving in Place” community group are also welcome.